Abstract: This thesis makes a cross-cultural contrastive study of English and Chinese euphemisms, which will contribute to a better understanding of the linguistic features of euphemism in both languages and cultures. Firstly, it briefly discusses the definitions of euphemism and presents a general view of the history of euphemism research both at home and abroad. Then, it introduces the classification and its cultural features. At last, it focuses on contrasting English and Chinese euphemisms from two aspects: religion and social value. 

Key words: euphemism; cross-culture; contrastive study

CONTENTS

Abstract

中文摘要

1. Introduction1

2. Literature Review.1

3. Classification of Euphemisms..2

3.1 Positive and Negative Euphemisms

3.2 Unconscious and Conscious Euphemisms

3.3 Other Classifications of Euphemisms

4. Euphemism as a Cultural Phenomenon4

5. A Contrastive Analysis of English-Chinese Euphemisms in culture5

5.1 Euphemism and Religion

5.1.1 Euphemism of “Old Age”

5.1.2 Euphemism of “Death”

5.2 Euphemism and Social Value

5.2.1 Euphemism of “Sex”

5.2.2 Euphemism of “Marriage and Pregnancy”

6. Conclusion..7

Bibliography.8

Acknowledgements9